Policies & Practices
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Dress Code 2008 |
STUDENT WELFARE
Policies and Practices Definition
The term 'Student Welfare' describes those activities of the school that are directed towards, or contribute to, the physical, intellectual, emotional and social well-being of the individual student. The Student Welfare Program is all the policies, structures and activities that are planned and implemented by the school to promote student welfare. These policies, structures and activities provide a platform upon which relationships and care for individual needs are fostered. In doing this they: · Co-ordinate the consideration of the students' personal, social and academic development; · Facilitate the development of good relationships between the students themselves, and between students and teachers; · Ensure that each student knows and is known by a particular teacher; · Develops effective communication between the members of the school community; · Involve parents and outside agencies when appropriate; · Enable someone to respond quickly and appropriately to students' problems and to anticipate problems which may arise; · Strive to improve the learning of students by these means.
Aims
The student welfare program aims to help its students to develop: · A sense of enjoyment and satisfaction from learning; · An ability to communicate effectively; · A sense of personal dignity and worth; · A sense of personal and social responsibility for their actions and decisions; · A caring attitude towards others; · An ability to form satisfying and stable relationships; · A feeling of belonging to the wider community; · A sense of cultural identity.
Objectives
The school, through its structures, practices and courses will contribute to the general welfare and development of its students by providing opportunities and support in three areas:
1. Personal Development
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Gain the satisfaction associated with challenge and achievement.
- Develop understanding and skills in communication and interpersonal relationships.
- Develop realistic self-concept.
- Enhance self-esteem.
- Develop personal values within a framework of broadly accepted community values.
- Develop skills in decision making.
- Understand one's own feelings and behaviour and those of others.
- Positively value cultural differences.
- Be caring and supportive of others.
- Understand and express their sexuality in a satisfying and acceptable way.
2. Preventative Measures
- Encourage more appropriate forms of behaviour;
- Protect students from harm
3. Remedial Measures
- Assist students towards full participation in the school's educational program;
- Address behavioural problems;
- Cater for specific learning difficulties
MISSION STATEMENT
MCSS is a community of learners and is committed to providing a safe, enjoyable and productive educational environment for its students.
In framing its Education Program, MCSS seeks to foster in its members those qualities which:
- Provide a foundation for social harmony and equity.
MCSS envisages a world in which all individuals are committed to acting in socially responsible ways, in which all individuals are knowledgeable and respectful of both personal and cultural heritage, and in which all individuals value cooperation, collaboration and personal contribution.
- Promote critical, reflective and broad-based thinking.
MCSS is committed to its motto 'Learn to Live and Live to Learn'. It seeks to empower its members through the development of informed, critical and global perspectives about the social and physical environments of the individual, the community and the earth.
- Enhance self image.
MCSS seeks to promote in its members a successful and positive self-image. The School values and fosters personal excellence in all fields of endeavour, especially in the pursuit of those creative, intellectual, social and physical attributes which maximizes opportunities to influence future learning, employment, and the shaping of society.
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BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Our behaviour management system is designed to:
- provide early warning to parents when their son/daughter may have behavioural difficulties.
- provide clear messages to a student regarding what is acceptable classroom and school behaviour and a well-defined progression of consequences.Students are encouraged to accept responsibility for their behaviour and negotiate a plan to improve their behaviour.
Levels in the Behaviour Management System
GREEN
The student has been timed out in a particular subject. Please see the "Time Out Desk Commitment" they have been required to complete. What can you as a parent do on receiving this Green Commitment form? Firstly, feel pleased that your son/daughter has responded to their classroom teacher and been willing to examine their own behaviour. Support their participation in this process by communicating that their actions are sensible and mature. If you feel the problem has not been fully resolved, feel free to contact the class teacher or the year advisor.
YELLOW
The student has not been prepared to negotiate, or successfully work out the behavioural problem, with their class teacher. It has been necessary for the Faculty Senior to become involved. When the student has accepted responsibility for their behaviour they will be on a Yellow Check Sheet for the particular subject. A yellow card lasts for the next 5 sessions in that subject.
ORANGE
The student has not been prepared to negotiate with a year advisor, has broken their Yellow Card or has demonstrated unacceptable behaviour in several subjects. They are required to go on an Orange Check Sheet for all lessons for a minimum of a week. The sheet is designed as a support tool to demonstrate to the student, teacher and parent that the problem has been solved. The sheet may be extended for longer if required.
RED
- Red is the highest level and may be applied when a student has broken their Orange card agreement or upon re-entry from suspension.
- It is a tool to support and monitor the students' progress in meeting behaviour requirements.
- It usually lasts for 5 school days but may be extended. It applies across all classes.
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SCHOOL RULES
The following rules are designed to provide a safe, enjoyable and productive climate for effective learning and social development at MCSS for all students. The rules are practical and fair, endeavouring to develop young people capable of exercising a high degree of self-discipline. The school rules are as follows:
Students will attend school and arrive at lessons on time. All absences must be explained and permission must be given by parent or guardian to leave school.
Students will act in a manner that ensures their own physical safety and the safety of other members of the school.
Students will be on task and make an effort to learn and complete work. This includes bringing the necessary learning materials for the various lessons.
Students will respect the rights of others to learn.
Students will treat others with respect and courtesy. This includes maintaining relationships that are free from sexism, racism and victimisation of others.
Students will respect school property and the property of other members of the school community.
Students will maintain good health standards and hygiene. Students will not have in their possession, or use, tobacco products, alcohol or illegal drugs.
Students will act in a manner that brings credit to the school in both behaviour and dress.
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SCHOOL SOCIAL RULES
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Normal school rules apply · 7-00 - 10.30pm.
- Students must be inside by 7.15 or have a parental note.
- If students are leaving early they must have a parental note or be collected by the parent.
- No eating or drinking in the gym.
- Any behaviour problems, parents will be asked to collect their child. The normal school consequences will apply.
- Students from other schools are not permitted to attend the social.
- Bring minimum valuables- a cloak room will operate.
- During the social students must stay in the gym or canteen area.
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CONSQUENCES FOR BREAKING SCHOOL RULES
School non-attendance
When students are habitually late, or truant, their parents are informed and the time lost from school is made up in detentions, doing schoolwork.
Verbal Abuse
Students who verbally abuse any other member of the school community will be expected to work out a suitable method of apology (if the other member is willing to accept) and a strategy to prevent other recurrences of the behaviour. Serious abuse of a teacher or other students will involve suspension from school.
Physical Abuse
Students who physically abuse other members of the school community will be suspended in line with our zero tolerance towards violence. Their parents will be contacted immediately. The student will be required to make a commitment to change this behaviour before returning to school. If there is a subsequent offence there will be a longer suspension period and a written behavioural commitment will be made between the student and the Principal as a condition for return to school.
Stealing or Vandalism
Students who steal or vandalise school property or the property of others, will be required to make restitution. When appropriate, parents and/or legal authorities are contacted. In these cases, the student may also be suspended.
Damage to Property
Students who demonstrate a lack of care for the school environment or act in a thoughtless or irresponsible manner which causes damage, will be expected to rectify any damages, eg removal of graffiti, replacement or repair of property, assist in removing litter, etc. In serious cases of vandalism or damage a suspension may be warranted.
Inappropriate behaviour outside the Classroom
Students who bring discredit to our school through disregard of rules set for assemblies, excursions, sporting events, socials, camps and extra-curricular activities may be banned from such future events. A contract requiring specific behaviour changes will be required by the Student Welfare Senior before further participation in similar events is allowed. Acts of behaviour which bring discredit to our school will result in suspension for a specified period and a suitable contract requiring specific behaviour changes will be required by the Principal before the student returns to school.
Using tobacco, drugs or alcohol at school or while travelling to and from school
1. Tobacco
- the tobacco products will be confiscated;
- the parents informed;
- the student given detention involving community service;
- counselling will be offered.
2. Alcohol
- the student will be suspended and the parents contacted to collect the student immediately.
- the student is banned from future school functions for a set period.
- the student will be required to make a commitment that they will not repeat this behaviour before returning to school.
- counselling will be offered.
3. Prohibited Drugs
- the student will be suspended and the parents contacted to collect the student immediately.
- the legal authorities will be contacted.
- the student will be suspended for a period up to five days during which time the student's continued enrolment at the school would be discussed with the parents.
Parents and students must also be aware that it is against the law to provide a minor with alcohol, tobacco products or illegal drugs.
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CLASSROOM BEHAVIOUR
Every classroom requires the same common keys to co-operation. Each teacher may have additional rules and many subjects require specific safety rules.
EVERY STUDENT HAS THE RIGHT TO LEARN
AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ALLOW
OTHERS TO LEARN
IN A POSITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
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